With Mother’s Day just behind us, our “safe” planting date has finally arrived! This generally marks the beginning of warming temperatures, which in turn means my outside exposure gradually begins to decrease as temperatures and humidity rise. When I do find myself outside, I tend to seek out the cool, reassuring comfort of shade. And I am not the only one.
Much like myself, there are certain plants that not only prefer shade but thrive in its cool, dark bliss. I know what you’re probably thinking – Hosta, Hosta, Fern, Hosta. Alas, no! There are so many viable, interesting options that offer not only color, but texture, contrast, scent, and all around interest and intrigue. Let’s explore some of these options that will brighten and liven any shady area of your landscape.
Georgia Peach Alumroot
Large, peach colored foliage with silvery-white overlay foliage matures to a rosy-purple in Fall and persists into Winter. Prefers sun to partial sun, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18″ tall and 18-24″ wide. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Raspberry Splash Pulmonaria
Lovely, mounded plant that produces clusters of bright, raspberry-colored blooms in early to mid-Spring amongst white speckled foliage. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 8-12″ tall and 12-18″ wide. Attracts hummingbirds and bees. Deer resistant
Burgundy Glow Bugleweed
Vibrant, spreading groundcover with lovely purplish-blue flower spikes that bloom above glossy, multi-colored foliage early Spring – early Summer. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 6-8″ tall and 8-12″ wide. Attracts butterflies and pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Visions Astible
Fluffy lavender-mauve plumes bloom atop sturdy stems and dark green foliage July – August. Prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18” tall and 12-18” wide. Deer and rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant.
Tiarella ‘Pink Skyrocket”
Airy spikes of fragrant, soft pink flowers bloom on sturdy stems above deeply lobed foliage purplish veins May – July. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 8-12″ tall and 12-18″ wide. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Japanese Painted Fern
Finely textured, bluish-gray fronds with hints of silver, white and burgundy grow in a lovely mound. Prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18” tall and 12-18” wide.
Bring some life, color, texture and contrast into the shade with these unique and stunning plants. Reach out to Sweeney’s today, and be afraid of the dark no more! We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!
Sweeney’s: A Plant Based Company
Plant of the Week
Golden Japanese Spikenard
Unique, layered gold-leaved perennial provides great color and texture in the shade. Color will be brighter yellow in part sun, and more chartreuse or lime green in the shade. Tiny white flowers bloom in mid to late Summer, followed by purplish-black berries. Prefers full to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 3-4′ wide. Deer resistant.
“A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.”
-D. Elton Trueblood
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney
These plants have it “made in the shade”. Great pics, great ideas!